Last year, the legislature gave the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife the authority to establish a youth deer hunting day.

The department proposes to establish September 28, 2002 as the deer hunting day for youth hunters between 10 years of age and older and under 16 years of age. Youth hunters who possess a junior hunting license to hunt deer under the supervision of a parent, guardian or qualified adult may hunt on this day and take a deer of either sex. The adult accompanying the youth shall not possess a firearm.

This deer can be in addition to any other bag limits for other open deer hunting seasons. That means even if a youth hunter is successful on this day, they can still head out and hunt with family or friends during any of the other deer hunting seasons. All other laws pertaining to hunting during the open firearms season on deer will apply on this day.

Saturday, September 28 is proposed because it is the Saturday prior to the start of the regular archery season, and it would give youth hunters a day exclusively for them.

Since this is a rule making proposal, there is a deadline for comments, December 7, 2001. After that, all comments will be presented to the department's advisory council. Then, the advisory council, comprised of ten people representing and the 16 counties of Maine, will vote on whether to accept or decline this proposal at their December 13 meeting.

Those wishing to file comments can do so by mailing them to Andrea Erskine, Department of Inland Fisheries and Wldlife, #41 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0041 or by emailing andrea.erskine@state.me.us.